Itahari, May 12

Jessica Gurung of Jhapa won double gold medals in the seventh Pushpalal Memorial National Badminton Tournament here at the Itahari Badminton Club courts today.

Gurung, who had stunned Nepal No 1 women shuttler Nangsal Devi Tamang in semi-final match on Friday, defeated Tribhuvan Army Club’s Rashila Maharjan 21-13, 21-16 in the women’s singles final today. Gurung also beat Maharjan in the U-19 singles final 21-14, 21-16 to win double gold medals.

However, Gurung, who teamed up with Sunaina Mukhiya, faced a 21-16, 21-18 defeat against the Tribhuvan Army Club pair of Nangsal Devi Tamang and Anu Rai win women’s doubles final match.

Meanwhile, TAC’s Ratnajit Tamang won men’s singles title beating Nepal APF Club’s Dipesh Dhami 21-13, 21-12. The title was sixth for Tamang in seven appearances in the tournament. Tamang teamed up with Nabin Shrestha and won the men’s doubles title with a 21-13, 21-15 victory over APF duo of Dipesh Dhami and Bijit Thapa Magar.

In U-19 boys’ singles final, Praful Maharjan saw off his TAC teammate Rukesh Maharjan 21-16, 21-18. Top three players in both categories received Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively, while top three pairs got Rs 20,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively. Similarly, top three finishers in U-19 events earned Rs 15,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 4,000 respectively.

Dhankuta’s pair of Yogeshwor Shrestha and Kiran Pradhan defeated Lalitpur’s Sunil Shakya and Sugat Ratna Shakya 21-15, 21-14 to win veteran doubles title. Top three pairs in the veteran doubles received Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively.